74 confirmed cases here so far this year; incidences up across Ohio

1:32 AM,
Nov. 16, 2013

Licking County has recorded 74 cases of whooping cough so far this year, the highest count in the state.

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Cases of the flu may only be sporadic in Ohio so far this fall, but another problematic bacterial disease has already arrived in a big way.

Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, is on the rise this year in the state, and particularly in Licking County, where 74 cases have been recorded to date, according to the Licking County Health Department. The widest outbreaks so far this year have been in Central Ohio, particularly in Licking, Delaware and Madison counties.

If the trend holds, the Licking County could see close to 100 cases by the end of the year, Health Commissioner Joe Ebel said. ...